I have hung onto a few gems from my past...most are accessories but a few are garments.
I still have my wedding gown hanging in the closet and that was only worn once in 1974.
I cannot part with it for sentimental reasons and I know in my heart that I will never be 106 pounds or a size 6 again. But that's another issue so let's not get too far off topic shall we.
J Crew necklace
Symplii black tank top
Lands' End black cashmere cardigan
Stuart Weitzman bow patent leather flats.
(many seasons ago)
Gelco wide legged trousers
several (many) seasons ago!
I met up with the savvy shopper and local fashion blogger Sheila from Ephemera this week.
We enjoyed a salad at a local brew pub/restaurant before hitting the aisles of Value Village.
I love to shop with Sheila as she has a trained eye for quality, can hone in on fabulous finds and "by touch" can "feel" if the fabric is worthy of purchase.
If you have been following my blog for awhile you might remember that we met up to thrift shop once before and had some serious fun, you can read about our adventure here.
I tried on several beautiful things which would have been wonderful additions to my meagre wardrobe but they were too tight across the chest. It is disconcerting when one is a size 10/12 in every area except the bust...that is where a clever tailor could come in handy...but I digress.
Sheila had a basket full of options and chose a colourful silk skirt and a great pair of shoes.
I came home empty handed but had a lovely evening and we parted planning a meet up next Spring.
Thank you Sheila!
22 comments:
Aw, thank you, Leslie! It was a pleasure to see you again and hang out. I loved your beautiful necklace. So sparkly! You're a great shopper and I love your eye! I so wish that beautiful red wool Hong Kong dress had looked right. I can't believe it's been 2 years since our last shop together. We must do MSC + Fairfield pub before Christmas! I am free most Sundays due to football.
Thank you again for such a fun evening!
I really admire people who don't mind wearing pre-owned clothing, especially shoes. I am not one who is able to do it. I know the price is attractive but I wouldn't be able to stop thinking about all kinds of things! I'm just too . . . . silly!
Wow, très élegante, chère hôtesse !
...and I can't spell French properly when I blog; I meant "élégante" !x
How do you deal with the downsized wardrobe since your weight loss? I have a relatively large wardrobe with many items that I really enjoy (arguably more that I truly need.) But I am on a serious weight loss journey and wonder what I will do when my size changes. It is a little daunting, especially since I don't have unlimited funds to replace my duds. Have you found it a problem? Sadly, thrifting is out because our thrift shops are terrible.
I understand your chest woes. I've been large since I began having children. They lied to me! Nursing didn't decrease my bust! Unfortunately, my bottom is now trying to catch up with my top.
I have the same issues with fit. My bust is a size bigger than the rest of me. LOVE those Stuart Weitzman flats...I have a few pairs of SW's that are now several years old. They hold up well.
OK, it's a date!
I have no issues with second hand. I launder the garments before wearing them.
We all have our comfort levels...when I was younger my "rich cousin" in Montreal sent me all her hand me downs and I was very well dressed!
Your question has inspired me to focus on this and I will write a post on this just as soon as I can! I am now receiving a pension so i do not want to invest thousands on a new wardrobe, am in smaller sizes too and my lifestyle has completely changed...talk about a challenge!
They say a little more on the derriere means less wrinkles on the face!
You and I are both 5'1 and have similar shapes...
I think you dress yourself very fashionably and I always think you look elegant.
I've learned a lot from reading your blog...merci.
BTW I bought an EF silk tank top yesterday!
Re your wedding gown--I use mine as a Christmas tree skirt every year. Right now I just tuck in the bodice and fan out the skirt around the tree. The satin has turned a wonderful ivory color, the lace is almost tea stained and the pearls/beading look lovely against it.
Right now I'm keeping the dress intact in case some granddaughters want to play dress up with it but likely cut off the top some later time.
Like you I couldn't bear to get rid of a dress that I loved so much and this solution makes me smile every year.
Looking forward to your post!
I would recommend that you consider taking some of your best quality items that are too large due to weight change and take them to a good tailor to see if they can be altered for less than buying new. If the item is one you love it is worth it.
Also I have heard of some people making lovely pillows from their wedding dress that they can keep out and be reminded of their memories more often....
And your shoes come round again and are perfectly on trend:).
Thanks for the insight into your younger days, that's very interesting! :-)
I agree with Anonymous above. Use the skills of a tailor. A good one can even alter your knitwear.
I can see no reason to build a new wardrobe after a weight loss unless a person bathes in dollars/ euros.
I have not saved my old clothes. Getting rid of them has given me a wonderful feel of freedom.
And, I have not replaced the gone with new ones.
I applaud your restraint. Thrifted is not necessarily a bargain if the items needs more alteration than a simple hem, etc, and (unless new) is it worth it?
Kristien62, Pants can only be altered down so far- one or two sizes at most. I did this for awhile, a few pairs at a time.
Once I was beyond that point, (you can imagine, the pickets would meet in the back!) I waited for sales and never built to the "pre-loss" number of items, which were too many anyway. Very best wishes to you!
Oops, Kristien, that is of course pockets. Sitting on "pickets" is a terrifying thought.
I wondered for a moment if "pickets" was a Canadian term with which I was unfamiliar! But, you are right, I can buy some time by altering my best things. Not terribly sure if my jeans can be properly altered and I have numerous pairs. This, however, is not the worse problem to have. Losing my stomach is a thing of beauty!
I went to Value Village so my daughter, her friend and I could dress like zombies and dance to Thriller. We scared a young tall man when we ran to catch the bus. People all over the world were trying to set a record.
I found an amazing cranberry knit dress at a thift shop. I wore it all the time. I had a couple of purses I also loved and a necklace, too.
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